BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field Of The Invention

The present invention relates to furniture balancing pad and / or leveling apparatus; and more particularly to apparatus for providing a leveling affect to uneven furniture pieces or uneven floor surfaces supporting furniture pieces, and / or for stabilizing windows to reduce window chatter.

2. Description Of The Prior Art

Irregular floor or support surfaces, as well as the wear and / or other damage to furniture leg supports over time, often produces instability and wobbling of a furniture piece. Instability and unwanted wobbling of the furniture piece is annoying, and can contribute to accidents or injuries, such as those occasioned by hot liquid spills or when a furniture piece tips over. Structural damage to furniture can also result when uneven leg support effects uneven distribution of weight on parts of the furniture. Marring, scratching or wearing of a floor surface frequently results from continued use of an uneven furniture piece.

Other problems involving leveling issues can arise with other structures or devices, such as windows and window panes. Older windows, or even some newer windows, often experience warping over time so that the window no longer fits tightly in the window pane groove. As a result, the window is prone to wobbling back and forth when gusts of wind hit the window. Not only does the wobbling cause a racketing sound, but the insulation capabilities of the window are further diminished as air gusts blow through the loose fitting groove or heat is lost owing to the diminished insulation properties of the window. Other situations can involve warping of the window pane or groove itself, which typically yields the same disadvantageous results.

Various devices have been employed in attempts to level the furniture pieces, including simple objects such as match books, napkins, and the like. These devices tend to be temporary fixes and that are generally unsightly.

Other attempts to level furniture pieces have involved devices which must be fixedly attached to the furniture leg and / or the floor. Such devices are cumbersome to install and are unattractive. For example: U.S. Patent No. 1,741,487 to Vance discloses readily stackable floor plates comprising a body of sheet metal having holes punched therethrough for securing the plates to the floor. A plurality of projecting buttons or lugs hold an angle iron leg in place on each plate. U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2003/0163894 to Jones et al. discloses a self-leveling glide assembly including a glide housing appointed to be attached to a bottom of a furniture leg. These devices are not wedge-shaped. As a result, the devices are not actually wedged between two surfaces to provide a wedge-type force.

Still other leveling devices are appointed to be slid under an uneven leg of a furniture piece. These devices are typically formed as rigid wedge constructs having mating wedge portions that require more work in placement. Top ribs or teeth, or hollowed-out top portions located within the top of the wedge increase the cost of these devices and make them more difficult to use. Moreover, such devices do not discretely blend with the furniture piece. They can appear unattractive and cannot be utilized to stabilize rickety window structures. For example: U.S. Patent No. 3,030,730 to Costar discloses a leg height adjuster including a pair of identical wedges that mate with one another to provide height adjustment thereto, with each wedge having a frusta-spherical concavity so that the top wedge holds a bearing head of a leg while the bottom wedge suctions to the floor. U.S. Patent No. 4,830,320 to Bellows discloses a wedge-shaped device adapted to stabilize an article of furniture formed with upper and lower surfaces having a plurality of transverse rib teeth. U.S. Patent No. 5,249,767 to Mellen discloses a table leveling wedge having a cavity in the top surface thereof to confine a table glide therein. These wedge-type balancing devices must be wedged under the leg which can be difficult owing to their generally rigid structure. They tend to appear rather unsightly and obtuse, jetting out from under the leg being supported. Moreover, the wedges generally include a perforated top - created by ribs or teeth on the top surface, or by a large cavity cut-out in the top surface. As a result, any protruding edge, or surface of the table or window with which they are used will likely be caught by the teeth, ridges or cavity, causing difficulty in placement and compromising the leveling effect.

Some platforms or pads utilized to level furniture do not provide flexibility; but rather are rigid. U.S. Patent No. 133,766 to Easterly discloses foot-platforms having a primary platform composed of cast metal. A central holding-surface, which may be flat, concave, or convex, has a ledge for confining the foot on a leg. The rigidity of the pad can cause the uneven leg to become higher than the other legs. This further contributes to the unevenness, as the pad itself cannot conform to the desired height adjustment. Even where rigid pads have provided for height adjustment, these devices are cumbersome to adjust and impractical for many uses. For example, U.S. Patent No. 1,725,499 to Wetzel discloses an adjustable leveling device for scales. A supporting bar is adapted to be secured at each end to a circular disk-like member by means of screws. The rigidity of these platforms not only presents placement issues (i.e. height adjustability), but additionally causes the platforms to be highly visible and unsightly. Further, these devices are not wedge-shaped. As a result, the devices are not actually wedged between two surfaces to provide a wedge-type force.

Even where flexible pads and the like have been provided, many of these pads involve constructs with a cavity surrounded by narrow side walls appointed to hold the leg in place. Many of these pads do not function to level a piece of furniture, but are merely shoes for covering the leg cap of the furniture, presumably to prevent the cap from scratching the floor. For example: U.S. Patent No. 1,912,728 to Roe discloses a furniture support composed of a rubber material comprised of walls and a floor that is sloped to yield a depressed central point so that the central point does not contact the leg held by the support; U.S. Design Patent No. D044996 to Buser discloses an ornamental design for a show or protecting tip for furniture-legs; U.S. Design Patent No. D340638 to Campbell discloses an ornamental design for a furniture leg shoe design; and U.S. Design Patent No. D513583 to Chase discloses an ornamental design for a furniture leg cap. Any leg appointed to be supported by these devices must be of a specific size and shape to fit properly within the cavity of the device. The side walls result in the inability to utilize the device when the leg does not fit perfectly within the confines thereof, otherwise the leg would be resting solely on the walls and the floor would not be supporting the leg whatsoever. As a result, the walls would eventually give way and buckle. Further, these devices are not wedge- shaped. As a result, the devices are not actually wedged between two surfaces to provide a wedge-type force.

Additionally, U.S. Patent No. 5,924,661 to Chemack discloses a stabilizing device having a first envelope formed of a pair of substantially rectangular sheet-like members joined along marginal edges, with a second envelope or bladder housed therein that is fabricated of a preferably elastically or otherwise resiliently deformable material within which a filler material is contained. This device does not include walls in general, and is merely a circular, egg shaped device appointed to deform under the weight of the furniture. However, due to the curved nature of the bottom of the device, the device can easily roll out from under the leg during insert, and may become dislodged as the leg is being placed down onto the structure. Moreover, the circular shape causes the overall thickness (i.e. diameter) of the device to be greater than would be accomplished with a thin disk, and so the furniture piece must be lifted higher to advance clearance for insertion. Further, the device is not wedge-shaped. As a result, the device is not actually wedged between two surfaces to provide a wedge-type force.

Various types of pads for furniture pieces involve balancing pads that are relatively flat in nature and are appointed to be placed under the legs of a furniture piece. For example, U.S. Patent No. 7,717,379 to Kimmel discloses a furniture balancing pad having a biscuit portion having a top surface, a substantially flat bottom surface, and side walls. The biscuit portion is generally flat and is not a wedge-shaped biscuit. As a result, the biscuit is not actually wedged between two surfaces to provide a wedge-type force and instead simply rests between two surfaces. Moving type casters have also been provided. For example: U.S. Patent No. 3,326,508 to Born discloses a slide caster comprising a laminar assembly of an adapter body that engages a structure to be supported, and a flexible slide shoe of Teflon sheet stock underlying the body and projecting there beyond to present a flexible marginal lip. U.S. Patent No.6,901 , 629 Wurdack discloses a slide formed from an upwardly cupped plate made of an acetyl copolymer matrix. The plate has a lubricant incorporated therein to provide slidability and load baring capability, making it suitable for use in moving furniture or other heavy objects across a floor. U.S. Patent No. 6,206,424 to Edwards et al. discloses a furniture slide for moving furniture over a floor surface and also serving to provide foam drying blocks under the furniture for placement on wet carpet surfaces. U.S. Pat. No. 5,426,818 to Bushey discloses a floor glide for furniture and the like that includes a concavo-convex disk having an arcuate convex lower surface. A concave upper surface of the disk defines a central cavity. A resilient pad is fixed to the disk upper surface within the central cavity below the edge thereof, and adhesive means for secure the resilient pad to the bottom of furniture. These devices are generally flat and are not a wedge-shaped element. As a result, the devices are not actually wedged between two surfaces to provide a wedge-type force.

Other types of pads for furniture pieces involve sliders appointed to be placed under the legs of a furniture piece for ease in sliding the furniture along a floor surface. These types of devices are not appointed for leveling the furniture piece, and are appointed for generally temporary use during moving. For example: U.S. Patent No. 5,081 ,740 to Smith discloses a reconfigurable slide for supporting furniture being moved having an inflexible slide cup with sides extending upward and an inner surface appointed for accommodating a removable slide cup insert composed of closed-cell rubber and having a flat upper surface; and U.S. Patent No. 5,426,818 to Bushey discloses a floor glide for moving furniture across a floor comprised of a concavo-convex sheet of material, such as disk, and a resilient adhesive pad located therein. These slides are large relative to a furniture leg to provide greater weight distribution for ease in moving the furniture piece. Generally, the inflexible slide cup is composed of a rigid of slippery material, and the cup insert has a flat upper surface which collapses around a furniture leg placed thereon to provide resistance. The leg of the furniture piece is placed within the cup and rests against the insert; the sides and the insert of the cup are appointed to prevent the leg from sliding from the cup and do not bear weight rather than to support the leg, as any weight bearing on the cup walls would likely cause them to collapse. In any event, these devices are large in size so as to provide greater weight distribution and visa vie easier movement of the furniture piece. As a result, they would be quite unsightly and impractical for use when attempting to level the furniture piece. These devices are generally flat and are not a wedge-shaped element. As a result, the devices are not actually wedged between two surfaces to provide a wedge-type force.

Notwithstanding the efforts of prior art workers to construct devices for leveling uneven furniture pieces and or window structures, there remains a need in the art for a thin resilient, flexible furniture balancing pad that can be readily slid under an uneven furniture leg with minimum lifting clearance; or placed in between a window pane and window to prevent window chatter. In addition, there exists an art recognized need for a balancing structure having a flexible stabilizing cushion that deforms upon placement of a structure. Moreover, there is a need in the art for a leveling structure having a specifically sized wedge-shaped structure wherein an outer perimeter area substantially surrounds the flexible stabilizing cushion so that weight from the structure is distributed on the cushion and the surrounding perimeter, allowing the pad to be readily slid under the uneven leg of a chair, table, stool or window to provide immediate relief for the instability problem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a thin resilient, flexible balancing / leveling pad that can be readily slid between two surfaces with minimum lifting clearance. The leveling pad is formed as a wedge-shaped structure with a smooth, uninterrupted top surface and preferably a flat bottom surface, so that the pad can readily be wedged between two surfaces. Such surfaces include those extant between an uneven table or furniture leg and a floor surface; or between a window frame and window pane or support structure. The leveling pad includes a flexible stabilizing cushion that deforms upon placement of a weight thereon. An outer perimeter area is provided that substantially surrounds the flexible stabilizing cushion. Weight from the furniture piece or window structure is distributed on the cushion and the surrounding perimeter to provide immediate relief for the instability problem. Advantageously, the table leveling pad solves instability issues in a convenient, attractive manner. The user simply slides the stabilization pad under the uneven leg and stabilization of the uneven furniture piece is achieved in an aesthetic, discrete manner.

The leveling pad for stabilizing a piece of furniture, window or structure having an uneven leg base or surface includes a wedge-shaped pad having a substantially smooth top surface sloping at an angle tapering to a thin edge, a bottom surface, side walls and a back wall. A flexible stabilization cushion is attached to the top surface of the pad, and correspondingly slopes at an angle that tapers substantially near a thin edge of the pad. An outer perimeter shelf extends adjacently in relation to the flexible stabilization cushion and adjacent to the side walls, the back walls and the thin edge of the pad. The outer perimeter shelf includes a perimeter thickness and a shelf depth, the flexible stabilization cushion has a central cushion thickness. The thin edge and the flexible stabilization cushion and top surface sloping at the angle is adapted to wedge under the uneven leg base or within the surface for secure placement and stability. The flexible stabilization cushion and the outer perimeter shelf of the pad level and buttress the uneven leg base or uneven surface when the furniture balancing pad is slid under the piece of furniture. Preferably the leveling pad element is a polygon shape, or a parallelogram shape. Most preferably, the leveling pad element is a square.

A method of using a leveling pad to stabilize a piece of furniture having an uneven leg base or surface and a method for stabilizing a window having an uneven window portion or support structure are also provided. Each method includes the step of wedging the subject wedge-shaped element between the leg base and the surface, or between the window portion and the support structure, respectively. The leveling pad for stabilizing a piece of furniture having an uneven leg base or support surface, or for stabilizing a window structure or the like comprises an element portion. This element is formed as a wedge-shaped structure having a top surface, a substantially flat bottom surface, and side walls. A flexible stabilization cushion is attached to the top surface of the element to form an outer perimeter shelf extending horizontally and adjacently in relation to the flexible stabilization cushion and adjacent to the side walls of the element. This shelf acts as a support lip for the furniture piece. The outer perimeter shelf of the element includes a perimeter thickness, or height, and a shelf depth (horizontal). A central cushion thickness is given to the flexible stabilization cushion. This central cushion thickness is greater than or less than the perimeter thickness of the outer perimeter shelf. As arranged, the flexible stabilization cushion and the outer perimeter shelf of the element are appointed to level and buttress the uneven leg base or uneven surface when the furniture balancing pad is slid under the piece of furniture.

The element may be composed of a rigid material, while the flexible stabilization cushion is composed of a flexible rubber or foam material. Optionally, the element is composed of a flexible rubber material along with the flexible stabilization cushion. The pad may be constructed as a single pad wherein the element and flexible stabilization cushion are integrated together during manufacturing. Alternatively, the flexible stabilization cushion may be removable and replacement cushions may be provided to replace cushions damaged or deformed over time. The furniture balancing pad can come in an array of sizes and shapes. In addition, the furniture balancing pad can come in an array of textures and colors so that the pad blends or camouflages with the furniture piece in an aesthetic, low profile manner. The perimeter thickness of the outer perimeter shelf of the element may be less than the central cushion thickness of the flexible stabilization cushion so that the flexible stabilization cushion extends above the outer perimeter shelf. On the other hand, the perimeter thickness of the outer perimeter shelf of the element is greater than the central cushion thickness of the flexible stabilization cushion so that the flexible stabilization cushion extends below the outer perimeter shelf.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be more fully understood and further advantages will become apparent when reference is had to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention and the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. l a illustrates a top view of an embodiment of the leveling / balancing pad wherein the central cushion thickness of the flexible stabilization cushion is greater than the perimeter thickness of the surrounding outer perimeter shelf of the element;

FIG. lb illustrates a top side perspective of the embodiment shown in FIG. la;

FIG. lc illustrates a side view of the embodiment shown in FIG. la;

FIG. Id illustrates a cross-sectional side view of a table leg / furniture leg being supported and leveled by the balancing pad shown in FIG. la;

FIG. l e illustrates a cross-sectional side view of a window structure being leveled by the balancing pad shown in FIG. 1 a; FIG. 2a illustrates a top view of another embodiment of the leveling / balancing pad wherein the central cushion thickness of the flexible stabilization cushion is less than the perimeter thickness of the surrounding outer perimeter shelf of the element;

FIG. 2b illustrates a side view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2a; and FIG. 2c illustrates a cross-sectional side view of a table leg / furniture leg being supported and leveled by the furniture balancing pad shown in FIG. 2a.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A leveling / balancing pad for stabilizing a piece of furniture having an uneven structure or surface, and / or leveling loose windows is provided. In one method of use, the leveling pad is utilized to balance an uneven table or furniture structure. In another method of use, the leveling pad is utilized to secure rickety or warped windows / or windows that are not set securely in the window frame structure.

Leveling and stability of uneven furniture pieces or loose windows is achieved through utilization of a thin resilient, flexible leveling / balancing pad having a wedge-shaped structure with a substantially flat top surface with a stabilizing cushion thereon in combination with a substantially flat bottom surface that can be readily slid under an uneven leg or between a window pane and frame with minimum lifting clearance needed.

Problems associated with other leveling devices include rigid constructions as well as open, slated, or ribbed top surfaces. If too rigid, the leveling device does not provide any flexibility and as a result cannot conform or deform to yield to the weight of the structure being supported. As a result, the device can only essentially be used wherein the exact clearance is provided (i.e. the clearance between the floor and the table foot or leg must be generally equal to or slightly greater than the height of the device). Moreover, where the device is wedge-shaped, the device generally will protrude from under the table leg and become visible, or be subject to be kicked out accidently by a person, or even present a tripping hazard. What is more, it has been surprisingly and unexpectedly found that where constructions provide a top wall having an open structure, holes, grates, apertures, states, ribs, teeth or other protrusions, insertion of the leveling device can become difficult. It has been surprisingly and unexpectedly found that rigid ribs, teeth or other protrusions on the top surface of the structure interfere when the structure is being slid between the two surfaces - for example the table leg foot and the floor. This has been found because the protrusions often become caught or snag onto any small protrusion on the table's leg foot surface. Similar issues have been surprisingly and unexpectedly found wherein the top of the structure has large holes, or grates therein, as any small protrusion on the table's leg foot surface tends to catch on the holes or grates. It has further been surprisingly and unexpectedly found that protrusions and / or holes and grates on the top surface of the leveling device tend to cause the device to be less robust as the protrusions and / or holes yield points of weakness that often lead to breakage of the device over time. Accordingly, it has been surprisingly and unexpectedly found that a unified, uninterrupted top surface as provided for by way of the subject invention provides significant improvement over other leveling devices.

Yet another troublesome problem in the art is the size of leveling devices. A relatively large sized leveling device is difficult to insert and tends to protrude or extend out from underneath the furniture piece or structure. This can present an unsightly appearance and cause the protrusion to become caught by a person's foot, dislodging the device or creating a tripping hazard. It has been surprisingly and unexpectedly been found that a much smaller device will avoid these problems while, at the same time, enabling a more optimized insertion that provides greater stability, and creates a more durable and reliable structure.

Also needed in the art a leveling device that can stabilize windows within a window frame structure. Older windows can become rickety over time, moving to and fro in the wind causing a clanking or chattering sound. Not only is the sound bothersome, but the movement indicates energy inefficiency as cold / hot air, depending on the time of year, readily flows in between the window pane and frame. It has been surprisingly and unexpectedly been found that in combination the features of the leveling pad of the subject invention make the pad especially well suited to be wedged between a window and window frame to secure the window from movement. Advantageously, this alleviates the chatter emanating from window vibrations, and increases the energy efficiency of the window structure. When the leveling pad is wedged in between the window and the window frame, a tighter seal is developed which, in turn, prevents air flow between the window and window frame. Additionally, the leveling pad includes a flexible stabilizing cushion that deforms upon wedging between the window - window frame interface. The flexible stabilizing cushion compresses at the window - window frame interface to provide a tight sealing effect. Energy efficiency can be especially enhanced through placement of more than one leveling pad along various points of the window - window frame interface.

The subject leveling pad is small in size and discrete in manner, so that it is virtually undetectable. It has been surprisingly and unexpectedly found that the current structure having a flexible stabilizing cushion in combination with a wedge-shaped construct, specifically a small about 2" x 2" square structure with a vertex wedge wall of about ½" provides optimal insertion, durability and low key leveling of the window structure and / or furniture structure. It has been surprising and unexpectedly found that a square shaped element pad as described herein having sides characterized by a length of about 2 inches by 2 inches provides a device that readily fits discretely under the structure / or between the window - window frame in a manner that limits protrusion and visibility of the device. The small size also enables insertion to be more easily achieved than larger devices.

The leveling pad for stabilizing a piece of furniture, window or structure having an uneven leg base or surface, includes a wedge-shaped element having a substantially smooth top surface sloping at an angle tapering to a thin edge, a bottom surface, side walls and a back wall. A flexible stabilization cushion attached to the top surface of the element and correspondingly sloping at the angle tapering substantially near the thin edge forms an outer perimeter shelf extending adjacently in relation to the flexible stabilization cushion and adjacent to the side walls, the back walls and the thin edge of the element. The outer perimeter shelf includes a perimeter thickness and a shelf depth, the flexible stabilization cushion having a central cushion thickness. The thin edge and the flexible stabilization cushion and top surface sloping at the angle is adapted to wedge under the uneven leg base or within the surface for secure placement and stability. The flexible stabilization cushion and the outer perimeter shelf of the element level and buttress the uneven leg base or uneven surface when the furniture balancing pad is slid under the piece of furniture.

The leveling pad includes a flexible stabilizing cushion that deforms upon placement of a leg base / structure. An outer perimeter area is provided that substantially surrounds the flexible stabilizing cushion so that weight from the structure is distributed on the cushion and the surrounding perimeter to provide immediate relief for the instability problem. Advantageously, the table leveling pad solves instability problems in a convenient, attractive manner. The user simply slides the stabilization pad under the uneven leg / structure and stabilization of the piece is achieved in an aesthetic, discrete manner.

Preferably the leveling pad is constructed of an element having a polygon shape. More preferably, the leveling pad is constructed of an element having a parallelogram shape. Most preferably, the leveling pad is constructed of an element having a square shape. Preferably the square shaped element has sides ranging in length from about 0.5" to about 3". Most preferably, the square shaped element has sides having a length of about 2". The square shape and relatively small size facilitates wedging of the pad under a furniture piece in a manner so that there is a minimum of the pad protruding from underneath the furniture piece. The square shape provides the ability to readily wedge the pad between a window frame - window casing in a manner so that the end of the pad abuts but does not overhang past the window casing.

FIGS, l a - l e illustrate views of an embodiment of the leveling pad wherein the central cushion thickness of the flexible stabilization cushion is greater than the perimeter thickness of the surrounding outer perimeter shelf of the element, shown generally at 10. FIG. l a illustrates a top view of an embodiment of the leveling / balancing pad wherein the central cushion thickness of the flexible stabilization cushion is greater than the perimeter thickness of the surrounding outer perimeter shelf of the element. FIG. lb illustrates a top side perspective of the embodiment shown in FIG. la. FIG. lc illustrates a side view of the embodiment shown in FIG. l a. FIG. Id illustrates a cross-sectional side view of a table leg / furniture leg being supported and leveled by the balancing pad shown in FIG. la. FIG. le illustrates a cross-sectional side view of a window structure being leveled by the balancing pad shown in FIG. la.

Leveling pad 10 is appointed to be slid or placed under an uneven surface of a piece of furniture, such as a table leg, chair or stool, to even the furniture out so that it is balanced, or in between a window and window frame to prevent movement of the window. In referring to FIGS, l a - le, leveling pad 10 for stabilizing a piece of furniture, window or structure having an uneven leg base or surface, includes a wedge-shaped element 1 1 having a substantially smooth top surface 12 sloping at an angle 12' tapering to a thin edge 12", a substantially flat bottom surface 13, side walls 14 and a back wall 15. Preferably, flat bottom surface 13 of element 11 includes a friction coating 16. This coating 16 may comprise a polymeric coating, rough surface, or other frictional surfaces and is utilized to mitigate slippage of pad 10 when it is under the furniture piece. Alternatively, this friction coating 16 may be a silicone or rubber pad or portion adhered to the bottom surface 13 by way of adhesive.

The bottom surface 13 is substantially flat and is preferably not sloping at an angle. Alternatively, the bottom surface may be sloping at an angle tapering at said thin edge in congruency with the top surface (not shown). Preferably, back wall 15 has a height ranging between about 0.2" to about 3". Most preferably, back wall 15 is about 1/2" in height. Moreover, preferably the thin edge 12" has a height ranging between about 0.01" to about 0.5". Most preferably the thin edge 12" has a height of about 0.01" to about 0.03" so that the edge 12" is relatively shallow or sharp and is nearly planed with a flat surface for a substantially seamless transition onto the wedge pad 10 from the flat surface.

A flexible stabilization cushion 20 is attached to top surface 12 of element 1 1 to form an outer perimeter shelf 17 extending horizontally and adjacently in relation to flexible stabilization cushion 20 and adjacent to side walls 14, edge 12" and back wall 15 of element 11. The flexible stabilization cushion 20 is attached to the top surface 12 of the element and correspondingly slopes at angle 12' tapering substantially near the thin edge 12". Flexible stabilization cushion 20 may have a thickness equal to, greater than, or less than the thickness of the outer perimeter shelf 17 / element 1 1. Outer perimeter shelf 17 of element 11 includes a perimeter thickness, or height, and a shelf depth (horizontal). A central cushion thickness is given to flexible stabilization cushion 20. This central cushion thickness is preferably (as shown) greater than or less than perimeter thickness of outer perimeter shelf 17. In this embodiment central thickness is greater than the perimeter thickness as best shown in Fig. lc.

As arranged, flexible stabilization cushion 20 and outer perimeter shelf 17 of element 11 are appointed to level and buttress an uneven leg base 33 (see Fig. Id) or uneven surface, such as a window structure 50 (see Fig. le), when leveling pad 10 is slid under leg base 33 of a piece of furniture 31 / or between a window 51 and window frame 52. Shelf 17 acts as a support lip for the furniture piece as can be seen in FIGS. Id and le.

As shown in FIG. Id, furniture 31 has a leg 32 with a leg base 33. Leg base 33 has a foot 34 with a foot periphery 35 there around. In this figure, foot 34 has been worn so that it is uneven, thus causing piece of furniture 31 to become wobbly, unstable, and in need of leveling. Pad 10 is simply slid and wedged under foot 34 as leg 32 is lifted slightly. Upon wedging of pad 10, leg 32 is released and the weight of furniture 31 is applied to flexible stabilization pad 20, thereby deforming it as indicated in FIG. lc. As flexible stabilization pad 20 is deformed, foot periphery 35 of leg base 33 bears down on outer perimeter shelf 17 to stabilize and level furniture piece 31.

As shown in FIG. le, the leveling pad is adapted to be utilized to stabilize a window structure 50. Window structure 50 includes a window 51 having a frame 52 that is inserted and housed in a window casing 53 that has a track 54 wherein frame 52 of window 51 traverses or is held. In the image shown, window frame 52 is slightly warped at 55 owing to the passage of time. Note that any portion of the frame 52 and / or casing 53 may be warped / or any other type of ill-fitting situation may occur aside from warping. Pad 10 is simply slide and wedged between window casing 53 and window frame 52 to press the window 51 tightly against the window casing 53 in the opposing direction. More than one pad 10 can be added at various placements along the window frame - window casing interface to further tighten and secure the window. Owing to the preferable square shape and discrete sizing, pad 10 is discrete in nature and is not readily visible unless one looks closely. Moreover, the edge 12' of the pad 10 is of such a shallow height forming a relatively sharp edge that enables the pad 10 to be wedged effectively between the window - casing interface. Upon wedging of pad 10, window frame 52 presses against the flexible stabilization pad 20, thereby deforming it and optimally wedging pad 10 within the window frame - window casing interface. Conversely, the flexible stabilization pad 20 may be pressed against the window casing side.

Element 10 may be composed of a rigid material. Preferably, element 10 is composed of a flexible rubber material. Flexible stabilization cushion 20 is preferably composed of a flexible, resilient rubber or foam material. Most preferably, element 1 1 and flexible stabilization cushion 20 are composed of a highly durable rubber material and manufactured as a single pad 10. Alternatively, flexible stabilization cushion 20 is removably attached to element 1 1 and replacement cushions 20 are available or provided. Leveling pad 10 visa vie element 1 1 and flexible stabilization cushion 20 may be manufactured in a plethora of colors and textures so that pad 10 can blend with the furniture piece in a discrete manner. Colors may include brown, black, grey, white, and / or tan to name a few; and the textures may include smooth, glossy, wood- grained, and metallic.

Preferably, the flexible stabilization cushion 20 is located centrally on element 1 1 so that outer perimeter shelf 17 surrounds flexible stabilization cushion 20. Perimeter thickness X of outer perimeter shelf 17 of element 20 is less than central cushion thickness V of flexible stabilization cushion 20 in FIGS, la - le, so that flexible stabilization cushion 20 extends above outer perimeter shelf 17. Also, flexible stabilization cushion 20 is herein shown as arcuate and convex. In this manner, flexible stabilization cushion 20 can readily glide under the foot or base of the leg without sharp edges interfering and deforming. The perimeter thickness of outer perimeter shelf 17 preferably ranges from 0.025 inches to 1 inch, and central cushion thickness of flexible stabilization cushion 20 preferably ranges from 0.025 inches to 1 inch. Shelf depth of outer perimeter shelf 17 preferably ranges from 0.025 inches to 2 inches. As such, pad 10 is sized to easily be wedged under a furniture leg / structure after lifting the structure only slight.

Cushion 20 may end at top 12 of element 1 1 or extend downward within element 1 1 as is shown in FIG. lc at 22. In this manner, cushion 20 can be thicker without impacting the overall height of pad 10, thus enabling pad 10 to remain thinner for easier insertion under the leg of the furniture (i.e. lessens the lifting distance needed for insertion).

FIGS. 2a and 2b illustrate views of another embodiment of the leveling pad wherein the central cushion thickness of the flexible stabilization cushion is less than the perimeter thickness of the surrounding outer perimeter shelf of the element. FIG. la illustrates a top view shown generally at 100, while FIG. 2b illustrates a side view of the pad shown generally at 120. FIG. lc illustrated implementation of the embodiment of FIGS, l a and lb with the leg of a furniture piece, such as a table, being supported and leveled by the pad shown in FIGS. 2a and 2b, shown generally at 130. Leveling pad 100 is appointed to be slid or placed under an uneven surface of a piece of furniture 131 , such as a table leg 132, chair or stool, or structure such as a window to even the structure so that it is balanced. A flexible stabilization cushion 120 is built-into the body of top surface 112 of element 1 1 1 to form an outer perimeter shelf 1 15 extending horizontally and adjacently in relation to flexible stabilization cushion 120 and adjacent to side walls 1 14 of element 1 1 1. Flexible stabilization cushion 120 is preferably arcuate and concave so that a foot associated with a base of said leg of a furniture piece is received in concave flexible stabilization cushion 120 and the base of the leg is distributed on shelf depth Ml, M2 of outer perimeter shelf 1 15.

Outer perimeter shelf 1 15 of element 1 1 1 includes a perimeter thickness A, or height, and a shelf depth M (Ml, M2). Herein, element 1 1 1 has a square shape and stabilization cushion 120 is placed on the side thereof so that the shelf depth M of outer perimeter shelf 1 15 is different, showing as Ml, and M2. In this embodiment central thickness Y is less than the perimeter thickness A to form an indent for accommodating a foot of furniture's leg (FIG. 2c).

Flexible stabilization cushion 120 and outer perimeter shelf 1 15 of element 1 1 1 are appointed to level and buttress an uneven leg base 133 or uneven surface when furniture balancing pad 1 10 is slid under leg base 133 of a piece of furniture 131. Shelf 1 15 acts as a support lip for the furniture piece as can be seen in FIG. 2c. As shown in FIG. 2c, furniture 131 has a leg 132 with a leg base 133. Leg base 133 has a foot 134 with a foot periphery 135 there around. In this figure, foot 314 has been worn so that it is uneven, thus causing piece of furniture 131 to become wobbly, unstable, and in need of leveling. Pad 110 is simply slid under foot 134 as leg 132 is lifted slightly. Upon insertion of pad 1 10, leg 132 is released foot 134 engages in concave flexible stabilization pad 120 and weight bears against the pad, deforming same. Foot periphery 135 then bears weight on outer perimeter shelf 1 15 to stabilize and level furniture piece 131.

Although the figures hereinabove show application of the leveling pad with a leg having a foot or shoe thereon in reference to the table / furniture use, the pad can be readily utilized on a leg that does not have a foot or shoe. In such a manner, for example, the flat base of the leg engages with the flexible stabilization pad causing same to deform. The periphery around the flat base (relative to the portion engaging the flexible stabilization pad) abuts and engages with the outer perimeter shelf of the element and weight is distributed on same.

Having thus described the invention in rather full detail, it will be understood that such detail need not be strictly adhered to, but that additional changes and modifications may suggest themselves to one skilled in the art, all falling within the scope of the invention as defined by the subjoined claims.